Construction Project Manager Oscar Esposito, in Capital Project’s Bronx/Queens Program Unit, proudly stood at the dais during Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s State of the City Address, which was held at the Barclay’s Center on Thursday, February 14. The Mayor’s Office bestowed the honor on Mr. Esposito in recognition of his outstanding work to restore vital services at our Far Rockaway developments following Sandy. Mr. Esposito was part of the Capital Projects team that was immediately deployed to Far Rockaway to work side by side with contractors to re-establish power, heat and hot water for thousands of residents as soon as possible.

Mr. Esposito’s technical background as a Supervisor of Mechanical Installations, along with his construction management expertise, enabled him to effectively mobilize, oversee and direct contractors performing highly complex work under the most difficult conditions. In addition, with no pre-existing plans or instructions, he designed the temporary installations that the contractors set up, ensuring their compatibility with NYCHA’s equipment. Working in Far Rockaway for days at a time, with very little rest or time away from the restoration efforts, he oversaw the installation of mobile boilers, generators and transformers with dedication and technical ability that brought the timely restoration of services, including elevators, heat and hot water for our residents.

Mr. Esposito remains on call 24/7 for emergency response operations, to assist contractors with repairs and upgrades to keep the temporary equipment running. “We still have a lot to do and more to accomplish to make restoration of services more permanent,” he said. As recently as Saturday, February 9th, Mr. Esposito worked at Ocean Bay Apartments and Carlton Manor all day until midnight directing the contractor’s installation of a transformer to replace a temporary generator so that the boiler can run on more reliable utility electricity.

“This honor came as a complete surprise,” said Mr. Esposito, who only learned the day before that he would attend the State of the City Address. “The recognition should include the rest of our team, as well,” he noted. Asked to comment on his experience, he replied, “It was good to be part of a challenge like that. There was no heat, hot water or electricity within five miles. We did as much as we could to get some power back up.”